Portable pump

ABSTRACT

A portable centrifugal pump for moving or displacing large quantities of water in a relatively short time. The pump includes a volute casing having an inlet opening and a discharge opening. The casing is secured to a wheeled frame, such frame in turn being detachably connected to a tractor or similar vehicle. An impeller is rotatably mounted within the casing, and it is operatively connected to the power take-off of the tractor.

llnited States Patent [191 Shir-ck et a1.

[ PORTABLE PUIVW [76] Inventors: Daniel E. Shirek; Robert J. Shirek;

Charles J. Ryba, all of Michigan, N.

Dak.

[22] Filed: Aug. 9, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 278,937

[52] US. Cl. 417/231 [51] Int. Cl. F041) 35/06 [58] Field of Search 417/231; 280/4323;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,265,758 12/194l Klosson 415/121 B 2,462,588 2/1949 Wondra 417/231 2,594,501 4/1952 Rutman 417/231 2,698,583 1/1955 House et a1 417/231 2,835,400 5/1958 Latzke 280/4323 6 l fl [451 Aug. 27, 1974 3,342,506 9/1967 Whitfield et a1. 280/4323 3,371,614 3/1968 Crisafulli 417/231 3,486,761 12/1969 7 Fay 280/4123 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 893,111 4/1962 Great Britain 417/423 553,558 12/1956 Italy 415/204 Primary ExaminerWilliam L. Freeh Attorney, Agent, or Firm-L. MeRoy Lillehaugen [57] ABSTRACT A portable centrifugal pump for moving or displacing large quantities of water in a relatively short time. The pump includes a volute casing having an inlet opening and a discharge opening. The casing is secured to a wheeled frame, such frame in turn being detachably connected to a tractor or similar vehicle. An impeller is rotatably mounted within the casing, and it is operatively connected to the power take-off of the tractor.

9 Claim, 7 Drawing Figures RTABLE PUMP The present invention relates to pumps, and more specifically to portable, centrifugal pumps to be used for displacing large quantities of water from ditches, ponds, small lakes, and the like.

According to the known prior art, pumps of various types, have been devised for use in irrigation and drainage purposes. Preferably, such pumps should have a large capacity in order to achieve maximum movement of water; as a result, they require a relatively large amount of power to operate them. Tractors have been found to be a convenient power supply source. Ofttimes such pumps have been mounted directly on the chassis of the tractor, such tractor being readily movable to different sites. In other instances, the pump has been mounted on an appropriate frame construction, which is capable of being towed or moved to and from the drainage site. In such instances, the power take-off of the tractor is sued for driving the pump.

Kn9 wn prior art pump systems have not been completely satisfactory. One common disadvantage is the. inability of many pumps to work properly unless the pump is almost completely submerged ina body of water, often, of quite substantial depth. As a result, it is difficult to drain or remove all, or substantially all of the water from the source. Another disadvantage, especially for those pumps mounted directly on a tractor, is that at least part of the tractor must usually be stationed in the body of water being pumped; this of 'course, can create serious problems, especially if the ground surrounding a pond is soft and muddy. Moreover, in such instances, the use of the tractor for other purposes, is somewhat curtailed and limited, because it might not be feasible or convenient to convey the additional structure around, and it might not be easy or convenient to dismount the pump from the tractor.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for pumping or displacing large quantities of water.

Another object is to provide an improved portable centrifugal pump which can be effectively used for removing water from a body of water of relatively shallow depth.

A further object is to provide a portable pump mounted on its own towable frame, such frame being adjustable in such a manner that the pump can be used in shallow bodies of water.

A still further object is to provide a portable pump having a casing construction which effectively and efficiently operates in varying depths of water.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following specification and accompanying drawings. Before proceeding with a detailed description of the invention, a brief description of it will be presented.

Preferably. the pump apparatus includes a shallow cylindrically shaped vortex-type casing having a pair of flat end walls separated by a cylindrical side wall. An inlet opening is provided in one of the end walls, and a tangential discharge opening is provided in the cylindrical side wall. An impeller is rotatably mounted within the casing. The casing is mounted on a portable wheeled frame so that it is horizontally aligned, and the wall with the inlet opening is positioned below the other end wall. The wheeled frame is adapted to be attached to a tractor or similar vehicle so that it can be towed, and it is provided with structure for raising and lowering the frame, and thus the pump casing, with respect to the ground. The pump, and more specifically, the impeller, is operatively connected to the power take-off of the tractor by appropriate connecting means. By positioning the pump in a body of water and rotating the impeller, a vortex is created within the easing, the water is drawn into the casing and tangentially discharged therefrom into a flexible hose attached to the pump casing.

The invention will best be understood by reference to the following drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial side elevational view illustrating the invention attached to the rear end of a tractor, and shown in its operating, or lowered, condition in a body of water;

FIG. 2 is a partial side elevational view which illustrates the invention removed from the body of water; and in a second, or raised condition; 2

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2, without the tractor;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlargedpartial sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view taken along lines 66 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view which illustrates the impeller vane'in greater detail.

FIG. 1 illustrates a portable centrifugal pump, designated by reference numeral 10, mounted on an elongated, wheeled frame structure 12, such frame structure being attached to the rear end of a tractor 14. As explained in greater detail hereinafter, the pump includes a volute casing which is at least partially submerged in a body of water, such as a pond, ditch, or the like, while the tractor is positioned on relatively dry ground proximate the edge of the pond.

As depicted more fully in FIGS. 2-4, the structure 12 includes a generally rectangular rear frame support 16, formed of a pair of tubular end members 18 and 20, and a pair of tubular cross members 22 and 24. The members 18-24 are joined together by appropriate means, such as welding, to form the support 16. An elongated, tubular member or pole 26, is secured at one end to the cross member 24 so that it is perpendicular to it, and it is provided with an appropriate clevis 28, or the like, at its other end, for attaching it to the drawbar 30 of the tractor 14. A pair of elongated, tubular support braces 32 and 34 are also secured at one end to the cross member 24. The braces 32 and 34 converge toward each other so that they meet at a spot 36, at which point they are secured by appropriate means to the member 26 to form a rigid frame structure. While all the frame members are shown as being tubular, and as having a rectangular cross-section, it must be recognized that they might also be solid if preferred, and they might also have a different cross-sectional shape, e.g., circular.

A transverse, axle is secured to the frame structure 12, and it includes an elongated center or main portion 40, which separates a pair of end portions 42 and 44 from each other. As illustrated, the end portions 42 and 44 are perpendicular to the center portion 40, and parallel relative to each other. The end portions 42 and 44 support stub shafts 46 and 48 respectively, such shafts being parallel to the center portion 40. Wheels 50 and of the pump depicted 52 are rotatably mounted on the shafts 46 and 48 respectively.

The transverse axle is pivotally or movably secured to the frame support 16, and more specifically, the cross member 24, so that it is spaced forwardly from the rear end of the frame structure .12. If prefered of course, it could be secured to the frame structure at some other point as well, such as to the cross member 22. A plurality of clamps 54 are provided for pivotally securing the axle to the cross member 24. The clamps 54 are secured to the cross member 24 by appropriate means, such as bolts (not shown). A hydraulic cylinder and piston 56 is provided for imparting pivotal or rocking movement to the axle. The base end of the cylinder is connected to a lug 58 secured to the tubular member 26, and the projecting end of the piston is connected to a lug 60 secured to the axle center portion 40. The cylinder 56 is operatively connected to the hydraulic system of the tractor by appropriate hoses 62.

A shallow cylindrically shaped vortex-type casing 64 is secured to the underside of the frame support 16. The casing 64 is comprised of a first end wall 66 having an inlet opening 68 centrally located therein, a second end wall 70, and a cylindrical side wall 72 interposed between the end walls. A tangential discharge opening 74 is provided in the side wall 72, and a tubular discharge member' 76, having a generally rectangular cross-section, forms a part of the casing. The projecting end 78 of the tubular member 76 converges so as to have a circular cross-section. As shown in FIG. 6, a lip 80, formed by the wall 82 of the tubular member 76 and the side wall 72, projects a slight distance into the casing 64. The casing is attached to the frame 16 so that it is aligned along a horizontal plane, and the first end wall 66 is positioned below the second end wall 70.

An impeller, designated generally by numeral 84, is mounted within the casing 64 so that it is rotatable about a vertical axis. The impeller includes a circular plate or disk 86, a hub 88, and a plurality of radially extending vanes or fins 90 which'are secured along a top edge 92 to the plate 86, and along a side edge 94 to the hub 88. As viewed more clearly in FIG. 7, each vane 90 is shaped so that it has a curved end portion 96, and a bottom edge 98 which tapers or slants upwardly from a point proximate the curved portion 96 toward the side edge 94. The tapered bottom edge of the vanes help create a greater suction within the casing during operation.

The impeller 84 is fixedly connected to a vertically oriented shaft 100 which projects into the casing 64 through an opening in the end wall 70. A bearing member 102 rotatably supports the shaft 100 relative to the wall 70. An appropriate key and set screw is used for securely connecting the impeller hub 88 to the shaft 100.

As disclosed in FIG. 6, the impeller 84 is positioned within the casing 64 so that it is slightly offset with respect to the center of the casing. In other words, the clearance between the end portion 96 of the vanes and the casing wall 72 is smaller proximate the region of the lip 80, than it is in the remaining portion of the casing. It has been found that this arrangement improves the efficiency of the pump; the curved vanes 90, as well as the lip 80 and the relatively small space or gap between the casing side wall 72 and the vanes proximate the lip 80, assures the passage of the water through the discharge opening 74. In other words, the amount of water which might tend to follow the vanes continuously around as the impeller 84 rotates, is minimized, and the tendency for the pump to choke is reduced or eliminated.

A gear box 104 is positioned above the casing 64 and it is supported by a plurality of posts or support members 106. The gear box 104 is provided for operatively connecting the impeller shaft to the power takeoff of the tractor. Gear boxes of this type are generally well known and commercially available items, consequently they will not be disclosed and described in detail. Generally, an output shaft 108 is connected to the shaft 100 by means of a coupling which includes a sleeve 110, key 112, and set screw 114 arrangement. An input shaft 116 is detachably coupled to a drive shaft 118, the latter in turn being coupled to the tractors power takeoff 120. At least one universal joint 122 is provided for articulating the drive shaft with respect to the power take-off 120. Vertical members 124, secured at one end to the pole 26, and provided with bearing support means at their other end, are provided for supporting the drive shaft 118 with respect to the frame structure 12. A shield 126 covers a substantial portion of the drive shaft 118, and it is provided for safety purposes. Appropriate means are provided for attaching it to the frame structure.

A flexible hose 128, formed of reinforced material having sufficient strength to withstand large pressures, is detachably connected to the end 78 of the casing 64, by appropriate means. The length of the hose 128 can vary, and if preferred, it can be formed in sections which are eonnectable to each other.

In operation, the frame structure 12 is attached to the tractor 14, and the centrifugal pump is operatively connected to the power take-off 120. The pump is then transported to the drainage site, and the frame structure 12 is backed into the water so that the casing 64 is positioned over the body of water. Since the hose 128 is quite large and heavy, it is preferably connected to the end 78 at the drainage site, either immediately prior to positioning the frame structure 12 in the water, or after it has been positioned in the water. The hose 128 is then unfurled or laid out so that its free end is located at some remote pointv The hydraulic cylinder 56 is then actuated, and the axle 38 is pivoted so that the frame support structure and the casing 64 are lowered into the water. The exact height of the casing 64, and more specifically the end wall 66, can readily be controlled so that the inlet opening68 can be positioned very close to the ground surface. This is important because it permits the pump to operate in relatively shallow amounts of water. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the pump in lowered and raised condition respectively. The pump is now ready for operation.

By actuating the power take-off 120, the impeller 84 is caused to rotate about the axis of shaft 100. As the impeller rotates, a vortex is created within the casing, due at least partially to the angled or slanted bottom edge of the vanes 90, as well as the volute shape of the casing. The water is drawn or sucked into the casing through the inlet opening 68, and then immediately and efficiently forced through the tangential discharge opening 74 into the hose 128, at which point it is conveyed to a remote location and discharged. Since the casing 64 is horizontally aligned, the discharge opening 74 and the tubular discharge member 76 are positioned relatively close to the ground, and no additional power is required to first elevate or force the water to a higher level.

As previously indicated, the relatively close clearance between the lip 80 and the curved ends 96 of the vanes, minimizes the amount of water which flows past the lip and around the inside of the casing. This feature aids in the overall efficient operation of the pump.

In practice, the centrifugal pump will deliver a considerable volume of water, depending of course, on the relative size of the components, the rotational speed of the impeller, and the like. When the level of the water being pumped recedes to a point that little or no more water is drawn into the casing, the tractor can merely be backed further toward the body of water so that the frame structure is again in the water and the pump can again operate at maximum output.

In the above description and attached drawings, a disclosure of the principles of this invention is presented, together with an embodiment by which the invention might be carried out.

Now, therefore, we claim:

1. A portable pump comprising a shallow cylindrically shaped casing having first and second substantially flat end walls, said walls being maintained in spaced apart relationship by a cylindrical side wall, a first end wall having a substantially unobstructed inlet opening located therein, a tangential discharge opening in said side wall, an elongated frame support having a front and a rear end and a front and a rear portion, means for securing a transverse axle to said frame support proximate the rear end of said frame support, a wheel rotatably mounted on each end of said axle, means for detachably securing said casing to the underside of said elongated frame support whereby said casing is aligned along a horizontal plane and the first end wall is positioned below the second end wall, an impeller within said casing, a substantially vertical shaft rotatably mounted in said second wall so that it projects into said casing, means for securing said impeller to said shaft, means for rotating said shaft and said impeller thereby causing a fluid medium to be drawn into said casing and tangentially discharged therefrom, and means for raising and lowering the frame support and the casing along a vertical axis relative to a surface upon which the wheels are positioned, relative movement of the rear portion of said frame support with respect to said surface approximating the relative movement of the casing with respect to said surface.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the inlet opening is positioned in close proximity to the surface upon which the wheels are positioned.

3. The combination of claim 1 in which the means for rotating said vertical shaft includes a power take-off of the vehicle, drive means are provided for operatively connecting said power takeoff to said shaft, said drive means including a gear box positioned above the casing and operatively connected to the vertical shaft, and an elongated drive shaft which operatively connects said gear box to the power take-off of the vehicle.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein a flexible conduit is provided, and means are included for connecting said flexible conduit to the casing so that the fluid medium is pumped through the discharge opening into said flexible conduit.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said impeller includes a circular plate positioned proximate the second end wall and a plurality of equidistantly spaced radially extending impeller vanes secured to said plate which extend radially away from the axis of the vertical shaft, said vanes having a bottom edge, a portion of said bottom edge tapering upwardly toward said shaft.

6.- The combination of claim 1 wherein means are provided within the casing for minimizing the amount of fluid medium which flows continuously around the shaft axis, said shaft and said impeller being positioned within the-cylindrical casing so that they are slightly offset with respect to the center of said casing;

7. The combination of claim 1 in which the discharge opening directs the fluid medium away from the casing along a path lying in substantially the same plane as that of the casing.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein the axle includes an elongated center portion which separates a pair of end portions from each other, each end portion being perpendicularly aligned relative to said center portion and parallel relative to each other, each end portion supporting a stub shaft which is parallel to said center portion, said wheels being mounted'on said stub shafts.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said axle center portion is pivotable with respect to said frame, and means are provided for pivoting said axle center portion relative to said frame support, such pivotal movement causing the wheels to move relative to the axis of said center portion and causing said casing and said frame support to be raised and lowered, said axle being spaced forwardly from the rear end of the frame support a prescribed distance. 

1. A portable pump comprising a shallow cylindrically shaped casing having first and second substantially flat end walls, said walls being maintained in spaced apart relationship by a cylindrical side wall, a first end wall having a substantially unobstructed inlet opening located therein, a tangential discharge opening in said side wall, an elongated frame support having a front and a rear end and a front and a rear portion, means for securing a transverse axle to said frame support proximate the rear end of said frame support, a wheel rotatably mounted on each end of said axle, means for detachably securing said casing to the underside of said elongated frame support whereby said casing is aligned along a horizontal plane and the first end wall is positioned below the second end wall, an impeller within said casing, a substantially vertical shaft rotatably mounted in said second wall so that it projects into said casing, means for securing said impeller to said shaft, means for rotating said shaft and said impeller thereby causing a fluid medium to be drawn into said casing and tangentially discharged therefrom, and means for raising and lowering the frame support and the casing along a vertical axis relative to a surface upon which the wheels are positioned, relative movement of the rear portion of said frame support with respect to said surface approximating the relative movement of the casing with respect to said surface.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the inlet opening is positioned in close proximity to the surface upon which the wheels are positioned.
 3. The combination of claim 1 in which the means for rotating said vertical shaft includes a power take-off of the vehicle, drive means are provided for operatively connecting said power take-off to said shaft, said drive means including a gear box positioned above the casing and operatively connected to the vertical shaft, and an elongated drive shaft which operatively connects said gear box to the power take-off of the vehicle.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein a flexible conduit is provided, and means are included for connecting said flexible conduit to the casing so that the fluid medium is pumped through the discharge opening into said flexible conduit.
 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said impeller includes a circular plate positioned proximate the second end wall and a plurality of equidistantly spaced radially extending impeller vanes secured to said plate which extend radially away from the axis of the vertical shaft, said vanes having a bottom edge, a portion of said bottom edge tapering upwardly toward said shaft.
 6. The combination of claim 1 wherein means are provided within the casing for minimizing the amount of fluid medium which flows continuously around the shaft axis, said shaft and said impeller being positioned within the cylindrical casing so that they are slightly offset with respect to the center of said casing.
 7. The combination of claim 1 in which the discharge opening directs the fluid medium away from the casing along a path lying in substantially the same plane as that of the casing.
 8. The combination of claim 1 wherein the axle includes an elongated center portion which separates a pair of end portions from each other, each end portion being perpendicularly aligned relative to said center portion and parallel relative to each other, each end portion supporting a stub shaft which is parallel to said center portion, said wheels being mounted on said stub shafts.
 9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said axle center portion is pivotable with respect to said frame, and means are provided for pivoting said axle center portion relative to said frame support, such pivotal movement causing the wheels to move relative to the axis of said center portion and causing said casing and said frame support to be raised and lowered, said axle being spaced forwardly from the rear end of the frame support a prescribed distance. 